Nov. 27 – Dec. 1, Tulsa, OK
The BMX Grand Nationals, held in Tulsa about three weeks ago, drew an impressive 3,500 riders and nearly 15,000 fans to the fairgrounds, according to USA BMX. The Bay Area BMXers, based in Oakland, CA, were proud to once again participate in this premier event, which has become a staple of the team’s annual calendar.
The east end of the Expo building was transformed into a high-energy track where wave after wave of riders competed fiercely to narrow the field for the finals. As always, the event showcased the very best in BMX, with riders of all ages and skill levels giving their all. For Bay Area BMXers, this year was particularly memorable.
Howard Cato, Founder and President of Bay Area BMXers, shared his excitement about the team’s performance:
“Our goal was to come to the Grands and make a big showing and let everyone know we are still here. Taking 1st Place at the ROC and 1st Place 🥇 Team Sheet at the Grands today, I can say we had an awesome finish! Also, we finished number 6 overall for the year. Just want to thank everyone that continues to support our program and believe in our passion for the kids and the sport.”
The Expo building was not just a competition venue; it was a hub of activity, with vendors offering merchandise and bike services, and the stands packed with passionate fans and family members cheering on their riders. Among the crowd were international supporters like Mike Kaiser from Canada, who had spent three weeks in Tulsa as his son prepared to compete.
For USA BMX, the event highlighted the sport’s growth and the role Tulsa has played in its development. “We’ve grown the sport and grown Tulsa, and shown Tulsa that the Grands is Tulsa, and the sport has just grown over time,” said Faith David, the community engagement coordinator for USA BMX.
The competition also saw 80 professional riders, including 20 women, competing in an environment that brought together both young and experienced riders. Bay Area BMXers stood out not only for their results but also for their dedication to inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Reflecting on the team’s success, Howard Cato added, “I guess we were so busy that we didn’t get a chance to look and see that we won Factory at the ROC as well for the team! Once again, thanks to our riders for a great performance.”
The Bay Area BMXers left Tulsa with a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing their hard work had paid off and their passion for the sport continues to make an impact. As they look ahead to future competitions, their commitment to fostering young talent and building the BMX community remains stronger than ever.
CHECK OUT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TULSA GRANDS BELOW:
